In the ancient city of lokoja
Lies monuments and history of eternal glory
Confluence state as it’s fondly called
For many came to unite here as one
Be it rivers, animals and human beings
Located in a state with so many resources untapped
So many wealth to call its own
Endowed with the beauty of nature
With perfect forms and perfect rhythm
And so much appeals to the eyes
In this world of beauty lies an unending chaos
Beautiful but torn
Wreaking bedlam to this dazzling splendor
Havoc created by greedy leaders
Who gain by others grief and suffering
In the name of governance
And allot the earth’s treasure to themselves
And allow markets to starve the living
But before terror comes tyranny
Governors upon governors, they all came
But none restored our dying hopes and glory
No good roads for travels, no money for purchases
Destitution veering into many homes
And yet they claim to be ruling
The east yearns for total revamping; the central yearns for good roads and peace
And the west yearns for development
They came with inflated promises but look at the menace they created
Families and lives they ruined
All with one little tease
They promised us heaven but gave us hell
With ink on the paper, they seize the fruit of others labor
And claim it as a right of property
Alas, the mark of Cain is on them
Chaos only reigns where injustice thrives
The real leader hankers much for order and justice than for personal gains and glory
But we would continue standing on the pillars of hope
Because hope is the perfect road to peace
A curvy, complex and task-full way
That climbs up to an eternal garden
Where dawn can last all day
And in that daylong dawn
We can all put aside our fears, sentiments and greed
And learn to talk, deal, hope, work and dream
To restore our lost glory
– Abdullahi Abdulkadir
